Oman Cricket Association has expressed its interest to host the upcoming T20 World Cup. Image: Xtra Time

Xtra Time Web Desk: Oman Cricket Association on Friday has expressed their interest to host the T20 World Cup if they are given an opportunity. The International Cricket Council (ICC) in its board meeting held on June 2 & 3 has given the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) time till June 28 to announce their decision whether they can host the T20 World Cup in India or shift to UAE.

In an interview to TOI, Pankaj Khimji, the Head of Oman Cricket Association has said, The BCCI and the ICC need to take a call first on this issue. We would be delighted to be a potential venue for it.”

He also added, Our facilities have the approval of the ICC to stage T20Is, ODIs and we also got the ICC green signal to host Test matches this year.”

There is a chance Oman may stage the T20 World Cup qualifiers, if the tournament is moved to UAE since they will be hosting remaining matches of PSL 2021 along with IPL 2021 Phase 2 across the three venues in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. So the pitches need to get some rest.

However, even if the tournament is shifted out of the country, India will retain the hosting rights.

“The ICC Board has requested management to focus its planning efforts for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 on the event being staged in the UAE with the possibility of including another venue in the Middle East,” the ICC said in a media release on Tuesday.